Meher Baba (1894–1969) God-Realized master
said to be avatar of the age
Meher Baba considered himself to be an AVATA R, a
being who ushers in a new cosmic age.
Born Merwan Sheriar Irani to Persian parents
on February 25, 1894, in Poona, India, Meher
Baba (compassionate father) was exposed to a
number of faiths early in life. His father, Sheriar
Irani, was a devout Zoroastrian. Merwan went to a
Christian high school in Poona and later attended
Deccan College.
According to Meher Baba, five perfect masters
exist in the world at all times. These masters can
summon an avatar when needed to assist the
world. Although they appear to be five different
individuals, they are actually Satgurus, who are
in the unity of the one God. They “bring down”
the avatar so that the world can escape MAYA, the
cage of illusion, and experience reality. While in
college, in 1913, Irani met the first perfect mas-
ter, Hazrat Babajan, an Islamic woman saint who
kissed him on the forehead and showed him inde-
scribable bliss, which continued for about nine
months. In 1914, Babajan gave him instant God-
realization and made him aware of his spiritual
calling and destiny.
Another perfect master, Upasni Maharaj, a
Hindu who resided in Sakori, gave Merwan
gnosis or divine knowledge over the course of
seven years. Through these experiences he gained
spiritual perfection. In 1921 his spiritual mis-
sion began when his first close disciples gathered
around him. His disciples gave him the name
Meher Baba.
After years of teaching disciples, Meher Baba
founded a colony near Ahmednagar, called Mehe-
rabad. The colony included a school, hospital,
dispensary, and shelter for the poor. From its
inception, Meherabad did not recognize caste
distinctions in training its students or serving
the needy. Another important part of the work
begun by Meher Baba is work with the masts, the
advanced souls or “God-intoxicated” individuals
who live perpetually in awareness of the highest
realm of consciousness. He sought out masts and
took care of their physical needs, which the masts
themselves often ignored. He also washed the feet
of and fed lepers and the destitute of India.
From July 10, 1925, Meher Baba observed
silence, communicating with others and giving
discourses only through dictation on an alphabet
board. Much later, he abandoned the alphabet
board and communicated through hand gestures
unique to him.
He asserted that he was the Ancient One who
had returned to redeem humankind from its
bondage to ignorance and to show to all their trueMeher Baba (1894–1969), God-realized master from
western India, said to be the avatar of the current age
who bridged Hinduism and Sufism (Courtesy Avatar
Meher Baba Trust)
K 286 Meher Baba